Return to Mental Health Awareness

How Do I Know If My Child Has A Problem?

Signs & Symptoms of a Mental Health Issue

 

DECLINE IN SCHOOL PERFORMANCE:

  • A recent decline in grades
  • Failure to inform parents of school events, including requests for parents to meet with teachers, etc.
  • Loss of interest in school activities, including dropping out of extracurricular activities, athletics, clubs etc.

 

PEER RELATIONSHIPS:

  • Withdrawal from friends
  • Secrecy regarding social media with friends

 

PERSONALITY CHANGES, EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS:

  • Frequent and/or extreme highs and lows
  • General change in mood toward a more depressed and negative outlook
  • Withdrawal from family members
  • Is more secretive, isolates in room, withdraws into music
  • May be defensive when asked about personal problems, may not be able to identify what is wrong
  • Exhibits a loss of energy, initiative, motivation, interest or enthusiasm
  • Confused thinking, inability to concentrate
  • Excessive fears, worries, or feelings of guilt
  • Inability to cope with daily stress
  • Crying spells
  • Suicidal thinking

 

PHYSICAL PROBLEMS:

  • Appears run down and has frequent illness
  • Major changes in eating (either too much or too little)
  • Major changes in sleeping habits (either too much or too little)
  • Decline in personal hygiene; bathes infrequently, doesn’t change clothes
  • Complexion appears unhealthy
  • Complaint of physical pains (stomach aches, headaches, body pains)
  • Self-harm behavior (cutting)

 

ALCOHOL/DRUG-SPECIFIC INDICATORS:

  • May start drinking alcohol or using other drugs as an escape from emotional pain
  • Family liquor supply dwindles, disappears, or gets watered down
  • Medications begin to disappear from the family medicine cabinet

 

DISRUPTION OF FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS:

  • Avoids or decreases participation in family social gatherings such as holidays, vacation, meals, church etc.
  • Can be verbally or physically abusive to parents or siblings
  • Avoids contact with family members: goes immediately to room when returning home, is secretive about friends, phone activity or whereabouts

 

If you are concerned that your child may be suffering from a mental health issue and you would like to discuss referral information, please do not hesitate to contact the Student Assistance Program:

Timothy Lena, MSW, CPS                                                 Kelley Binette, MSW, MLADC

Timberlane Regional High School                                 Timberlane Regional Middle School

(603) 382 – 6541 x 3408                                                  (603) 382 – 7131 x 4926

Timothy.Lena@timberlane.net                                        Kelley.Binette@timberlane.net

 

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